Endocrinology Topic Track

Laboratorians play a key role in the diagnostic assessment of endocrine disorders, and have insights into the controversies and challenges in the field. Sessions in the Endocrinology Topic Track explore these issues in depth.

Monday

This session will describe the classification, biology, and diagnosis of disorders of sexual development. This short course will provide the laboratorian with the essential knowledge required to assist clinicians in the evaluation of such complex cases.

Measurement and interpretation of free hormones in blood are among the most challenging problems in clinical endocrinology and clinical chemistry. The reliability of the measurement of serum free thyroid hormone has been called into question in several common clinical conditions including pregnancy and monitoring patients on thyroid hormone replacement. Interpretation of free plasma steroid measurements such as cortisol is also very challenging, and the use of salivary steroid measurements as a surrogate has been proposed. This symposia will discuss the general problem, and then focus on free thyroid hormone and free cortisol measurements.

About 30–35% adults in the U.S. are obese. Obesity carries a significant risk for cancer development and progression. Recent studies suggest that dysregulated hormones from adipose tissue lead to insulin resistance via secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines. One of the major adipokines, leptin, is known to play a central role in obesity-related cancer. Recent findings on molecular mechanisms of leptin and adiponectin will be discussed.

This session will address key biomarkers for diabetic kidney disease (creatinine, eGFR, cystatin C, urine albumin) in the context of physiologic and laboratory limitations that influence interpretation of results, how eGFR is used to make treatment decisions, and whether the biomarkers are adequate for assessing renal function in diabetes.

*About Brown Bag sessions: These small discussion settings provide intimate exchanges between participants and experts. Expect lively conversation, dialogue, and debate, as well as Q&As. Attendance is limited to 10 participants. Advance registration and fees are required.